I have no idea why they are considered an important ally in light of that fact.
"Bystander" maybe, or "beneficiary"..
If they are so important in that region, why can they DO NOTHING there?
are any countries that do not have forces in theatre considered “important” allies or even allies in your mind?
Take a look at a map of the middle east and maybe investigate where the U.S. military goes and what they do in that region. And ask yourself, if ‘boots on the ground’ is so crucial to an alliance, where was the U.S. military during any of Israel’s battles?